She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard B. and Blanche B. (Lane) Whalen.

Jean Marie was born September 18, 1934 in Boone, Iowa, where she lived until moving with her parents to Ames in 1950. She was a 1952 graduate of Ames High School. Following graduation, she was employed at Younkers Department Store in Ames until her marriage. She married Marion A. Papich on February 1, 1958, at Saint Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames. After her marriage, she lived in Slater for 55 years until moving to Madrid in 2013, first to Cedars Assisted Living Community, then to Madrid Home.

Jean’s life was dedicated to her family and home, and in earlier years she was a meticulous housekeeper. While her children were in Junior High and High School, she worked at R.H. Donnelley Corporation in Nevada, Iowa, for approximately 10 years.

Jean was a member of Saint Malachy’s Catholic Church. She had also been a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Bishop Daly, #1945 in Ankeny, the Slater American Legion Post #260 Auxiliary, and the Ames High School Alumni Association. She enjoyed attending John Deere Retirees’ Potlucks with Marion at the United Auto Workers’ Union Hall in Des Moines, and fine dining with family and friends.

A memorial fund has been established in her name.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.adamssoderstrum.com.